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Katelin O’Shea on Practical AI Without the Hype


AI is everywhere, but much of the conversation is either overhyped or focused on fear. Instead of obsessing over whether AI will replace us, what if we focused on how it can actually help?


That’s exactly why I sat down with Katelin O’Shea, an AI enthusiast with a refreshingly practical take. She doesn’t just theorise about AI’s future - she experiments with it in her daily life and work. From using AI to write legal appeals to leading AI projects at Dropbox, Katelin’s approach is all about real-world efficiency, not empty buzzwords.



From Curiosity to Career: Katelin’s AI Journey

Katelin first encountered AI in 2021 while working on grant proposals for startups. Faced with long, complex applications, she discovered Copy.ai and realised AI could cut hours off her workload. That was the lightbulb moment.


From there, she started experimenting - automating processes, testing AI in e-commerce, and even using it for passive income. Some ideas worked, some didn’t. But the common thread? AI as an assistant, not a replacement.


Her insights - shared openly on LinkedIn - caught the attention of Dropbox, where she now works on AI implementation at an enterprise level. But she’s not just about big business AI. She is constantly testing how AI can simplify everyday life.



How AI Saved Her from a Parking Fine

One of Katelin’s best AI wins was beating a parking fine.


Instead of stressing over how to word a legal appeal, she dictated her case to ChatGPT, asked it to act as a solicitor, and had it generate a well-structured response. After a few rounds of back-and-forth, her fine was cancelled.


It is a simple but powerful example of what AI does best - handling tedious, time-consuming tasks so we don’t have to.



AI Isn’t Taking Over - But It’s Changing Everything

Despite her enthusiasm, Katelin isn’t blind to AI’s risks. She sees two sides to every advancement:

  • The Optimist’s View: AI boosts productivity and gives us more time for creative, strategic work.

  • The Concern: AI could disrupt jobs, especially for administrative roles with repetitive tasks.


Her take is that the AI train has left the station. Instead of resisting change, we need to focus on adapting, upskilling, and making AI work for us - not against us.


One area she is particularly invested in is customer service AI. At Dropbox, she has seen how AI can assist human agents, providing real-time data and reducing response times. But she is also clear - transparency matters. Companies should disclose when customers are talking to AI, rather than misleading them into thinking it is a human.



AI and the Future of Work: Are We Using It Right?

Katelin has a structured approach to AI implementation - one that avoids wasted money and failed projects.


Her framework for businesses looks like this:

  1. Start with the problem, not the tool. Too many businesses see a new AI product and think, Let’s use that! Instead, identify pain points first.

  2. Pick the right tasks. AI is best for repetitive, data-heavy, and time-consuming processes. Don’t try to force AI where it doesn’t fit.

  3. Pilot before scaling. Testing AI on a small project first avoids massive failures at scale.

  4. Educate your team. AI adoption fails when employees don’t trust or understand it. She recommends dedicating 30% of implementation time to training.

  5. Clean your data. AI relies on structured, accurate data. If your database is a mess, AI will only amplify the chaos.


For businesses, the message is clear - AI isn’t magic. Without strategy, it won’t work.



From Work to Everyday Life: Making AI Useful

Beyond business, Katelin has a practical approach to AI problem-solving.

  • Meal Planning AI - She built an AI assistant named Susie that plans her meals, generates shopping lists, and saves time on grocery planning.

  • AI Art for E-Commerce - She tested AI-generated artwork in print-on-demand, only to realise that profit margins weren’t worth the effort.

  • Custom AI Tools - She uses no-code AI platforms to automate tedious work, creating personal assistants without knowing how to code.


Her biggest takeaway is that AI is a creativity booster. You don’t need to be a developer or data scientist - you just need curiosity and a willingness to experiment.



What’s Next for AI?

Katelin is most excited about AI lowering the barrier to innovation.


Before AI, building a tech product required a huge budget and a team of developers. Now, anyone with an idea can create a working prototype in days.


Her predictions:

  • Solo AI entrepreneurs will rise - One-person startups will build and scale using AI-powered automation.

  • AI in storytelling & video - AI-generated videos and interactive storytelling will be the next creative revolution.

  • Authenticity will be key - With AI-generated content flooding the internet, human-made work will become more valuable.


Her final thought is that AI is here, but it’s up to us how we use it. The smartest move is to embrace AI without losing the human touch.


AI is evolving rapidly, and businesses that embrace it strategically will gain the biggest advantage. If you’re ready to explore AI’s practical applications, this episode with Katelin O’Shea is a must-listen.


Stay tuned to The AI Grapple for more expert insights on how AI is reshaping business and creativity or watch the full interview episode on our YouTube channel.

 
 
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